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This study uses two different carbon emission factor methods to analyze the differences in carbon emissions from trucks under different types and times. The analysis is based on the Xinjiang Expressway Database and other data, with the G30 Yandun Toll Station as an example. The study aims to provide insight into the environmental impact of trucking and inform future policy decisions. The study indicates that heavy-duty trucks are responsible for 90% and 97% of the total carbon emissions from all trucks, respectively. The number of vehicles and the type of trucks are the main factors contributing to these emissions. Additionally, the second quarter shows the highest carbon emissions, while the first quarter exhibits the most considerable difference between the results of the two methods. In March, carbon emissions were at their highest. Additionally, the fuel consumption of trucks with GVW ⩾ 31000kg was the highest, with a significant difference between the results of the two methods. It is worth noting that the fuel consumption of trucks with GVW ⩾ 31000kg was also measured. This study provides data to support the implementation of policies related to transportation carbon emissions in Xinjiang. The paper is significant for promoting green travel.

INTRODUCTION: In recent years, the Far North Region of Cameroon has experienced serious and recurrent cholera outbreaks. Yet, understanding of cultural influences on outbreaks and spread remain poorly understood. This qualitative study explored cultural influences on cholera exposure in this region. METHODS: Interviews and group discussions were conducted in two phases. Phase I involved key informants and phase II included focus group and household discussions. Thematic techniques including word repetition, key-indigenous-terms, and key-words-in-context were used for qualitative data analysis. RESULTS: Key Informants attributed cholera etiology to dirt and spread through water (''caneri'') and food (group eating or ''faire-un-rond) while group discussions attributed it to a reprimand from ''god'' and transmission through the air. Participants suggested that funerals, weddings, open defecation, and mountaintop burial might influence cholera exposure and facilitate its spread. Hospital avoidance and non-adherence with cholera treatment regimens were linked to favorable beliefs about traditional medicine (rural-urban mentality confrontation). Furthermore, a multiplicity of ethnic languages, mistrust of message sources, culture of dependency and sentimental animal husbandry were barriers to the reception of public health messages. CONCLUSION: Many participants had limited scientific knowledge about cholera etiology and transmission. The cultural practice of mountain burial seemed to explain the high cholera attack rate in the mountainous terrain compared to the floodplains. Cultural factors are likely to play important roles in the exposure to and spread of cholera. Understanding cultural context, individual and community perceptions of risk and disease may help public health agencies in response to outbreak prevention and control.

INTRODUCTION: in Cameroon, cholera has periodically resurfaced since it was first reported in 1971. In 2003, Cameroon adapted the integrated disease surveillance and response (IDSR) strategy to strengthen surveillance in the country. This study was an in-depth description and assessment of the structure, core and support functions, and attributes of the current cholera surveillance system in Cameroon. It also discussed its strengths and challenges with hope that lessons learned could improve the system in Cameroon and in other countries in Africa implementing the IDSR strategy. METHODS: semi-structured key informant interviews, peer reviewed articles, and government record review were conducted in the Far North and Centre Regions of Cameroon. We used the matrix and conceptual framework from the World Health Organization (WHO) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, WHO Regional Office for Africa Technical Guidelines to frame the study. Site visits included the WHO country office, the ministry of public health (MoPH), two Regional Public Health Delegations (RPHDs), eight health districts (HDs) and health facilities (HFs) including two labs. RESULTS: cholera surveillance is passive but turns active during outbreaks and follows a hierarchical structure. Cholera data are collected at HFs and sent to HDs where data are compiled and sent to the RPHD in paper format. RPHDs de-identify, digitalize, and send the data to the MoPH via internet and from there to the WHO. The case definition was officially changed in 2010 but the outdated definition was still in use in 2013. Nationally, there are 3 laboratories that have the ability to confirm cholera cases; the lack of laboratory capacity at HFs hampers case and outbreak confirmation. The absence of structured data analysis at the RPHD, HD, and HF further compounds the situation, making the goal of IDSR of data analysis and rapid response at the HD very challenging. Feedback is strongest at the central level (MoPH) and non-existent at the levels below it, with only minimal training and supervision of staff. In 2012, mobile phone coverage expanded to all 183 HDs and to HFs in 2014 in the Far North and North Regions. The phones improved immediate reporting and outbreak control. Further, the creation of cholera command and control centers, and introduction of laptops at all RPHDs are major strengths in the surveillance system. Completeness and timeliness of reporting varied considerably among levels.

A novel self-centering prestressed concrete (SCPC) pier with external energy dissipators (EDs) has been recently proposed to minimize the structural damage and residual deformations, and enhance the corrosion-resistant capability. In the SCPC pier with external EDs, internal post-tensioned basalt fiber-reinforced polymer (BFRP) tendons are used to provide the self-centering ability, and the energy dissipation is realized through the external aluminum bars. Previous cyclic load tests of 1/3-scaled specimens showed that the SCPC pier with external EDs had desirable self-centering and energy dissipation capacities. In this study, a three-dimensional finite element (FE) model is developed using the ANSYS software. The FE model can capture the complex behavior of the proposed pier, such as gap opening/closing at the pier-foundation interface, energy dissipation of EDs, and self-centering capacity. Good agreement is observed between the numerical and experimental results, demonstrating the accuracy of the developed FE model. This will enable the parametric studies on the seismic performance of the SCPC pier with external EDs in the future.

A novel self-centering prestressed concrete (SCPC) beam-column connection with web friction devices has been recently proposed for moment-resisting concrete frames. This paper presents the fragility analysis results of a SC concrete frame and a conventional reinforce concrete (RC) frame at various performance levels. Three performance limit states (i.e., Immediate Occupancy, Life Safety and Collapse Prevention limit states) are defined based on the peak story drift ratio and two other performance limit states (i.e., Re-centering and Repairable limit states) are defined based on the residual story drift ratio. Statistical analyses of the seismic demands reveal that the SC frame reduces the softening and dispersion of the residual story drift behavior. Fragility curves indicate that the SC frame experiences much smaller residual deformations and shows considerable reduction in the median fragility and probability of exceedance for the residual drift-related performance levels, as compared with the conventional RC frame.